Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition

Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition 3(2+1)

Lesson 15:Nutritional and Food Requirements for School Children (6- 12 Years)

Nutritional Requirements

The RDA of school children aged 6 – 12 years is given in table.

Table: Recommended dietary Allowances of school children

NUTRIENT	7-9 YEARS	10-12 YEARS
		BOYS	GIRLS
Weight (kg)	25.9	35.4	31.5
Energy (k cal)	1850	2199	1970
Protein (g)	41	54	57
Fat (g)	25	22	22
Calcium (mg)	400	600	600
Iron (mg)	26	34	19
Vitamin A (µg)	600	600	600
? Carotene (µg)	2400	2400	2400
Thiamin (mg)	1.0	1.1	1.0
Riboflavin (mg)	1.2	1.3	1.2
Nicotinic acid (mg)	13	15	13
Pyridoxine (mg)	1.6	1.6	1.6
Ascorbic acid (mg)	40	40	40
Folic acid (µg)	60	70	70
Vitamin B12 (µg)	0.2-1	0.2-1	0.2-1

Calories and Proteins:

• Requirement for boys is increased from 7-9 to 10-12 years as the reserves are being built for the demands of approaching adolescent period.
• Girls require more protein between 10-12 years for approaching menarche.

Minerals:

Calcium: 10 – 12 years old children require more calcium than adults to meet skeletal growth demands.

Iron:

• Requirement increases as the blood volume increases by 1 g/dl
• Requirement is lower for 10- 12 years girls compared to boys as rate of absorption is higher in girls i.e. 5%. Muscular growth is more in boys which demands for more iron requirement.

Vitamins:

• Vitamin A and vitamin C: Same as adults
• Vitamin B requirement is related to that of calorie requirement.